NHRC demands report from UP govt

NEW DELHI, JUNE 24: The Oust Christian'' cry issued by the Bajrang Dal in Mathura has drawn flak from the National Commission for Human ...

NEW DELHI, JUNE 24: The 8220;Oust Christian8221; cry issued by the Bajrang Dal in Mathura has drawn flak from the National Commission for Human Rights NHRC, the National Commission for Minorities NCM and Opposition parties, who have condemned the inflamatory and communal statements.

The Congress sought an explanation from the Centre on the Bajrang Dal8217;s fanatic statements that Christians should be driven out of the country and made it clear that the party would not tolerate the reign of terror unleashed by such extremist and anti-national outfits.

The statement was all the more shocking since the Bajrang Dal was a part of the Sangh Parivar, whose constituents are in the ruling alliance at the Centre, Congress spokesman Anil Shastri said.

Taking suo motu cognizance of the Bajrang Dal8217;s statement reported in a section of the press, the NRHC issued a notice to the Uttar Pradesh Government asking for an immediate report on the reported activities of the Bajrang Dal.

The news item quoted a local leader of the Bajrang Dal, Dharmendra Sharma, from the Braj region near Mathura, as declaring that Christians are 8220;bigger enemies than Muslims8221; and also that 8220;his organisation was ready to fight wherever church institutions were active8221;. quot;Maar-peet to kya hum sab kuchch karne ke liye taiyar hain we are prepared to use violence. There is no limit,8221; the item quoted him as saying. Sharma said that at a national convention of the Bajrang Dal held in Brindavan in March this year 8220;the danger posed by the Christian community was discussed and a decision has been taken to launch a campaign against church institutions,8221; it added. Sharma reportedly felt that every time there was such a crime, the Bajrang Dal8217;s name should be taken as it would result in the Hindus respecting the organisation even more with the Christians fearing it. The Commission has also issued notices to the Union Home Ministry, elaborating on the 8220;need to take a holistic view as well as to inspirerquisite confidence amongst the people of Christian community who appear to be feeling insecure at this time.8221;

At a meeting held under the chairmanship of Justice Mohammad Shamim, the National Minorities Commission also condemned the 8220;communal and inflammatory8221; statements made by the Bajrang Dal and expressed concern that it could led to communal tension in the country.